Gateway Terrace Renovation Slated To Kick Off In July

FORT LAUDERDALE — The long-awaited $3.75 million renovation of Gateway Terrace, a federally subsidized apartment complex for the elderly, is expected to begin in July, manager Donald Long said Friday.

The renovation money was approved last July by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The complex, plagued by old plumbing and wiring, rotting doors and insects, was in danger of being sold last year because of its valuable waterfront location at 1943 Karen Drive, on the west bank of the Middle River.

The former owners of Gateway Terrace had reportedly planned to sell the property for $6.5 million to RDI Associates, a Pennsylvania-based development firm, but a federal judge blocked the sale after the Legal Aid Service of Broward County filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of the complex`s residents.

U.S. Rep. E. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, lobbied for the grant money last year, and when it was granted he assured the approximately 300 residents that they would not lose their homes.

Shaw was at the complex Friday to check on the progress of the renovation.

``I was very pleased by what I saw in terms of the plan that they have for the buildings,`` Shaw said.

But he said he could tell that residents were still skeptical and that ``they probably won`t believe it till they see it.``

Long told Shaw that architect Robert McDonald has completed about 90 percent of the renovation plans that include new appliances, wiring, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning units to each of the 256 apartments.

Long said laundry facilities, a beauty shop and thrift shop will be added.

The exterior of the 38-building, six-acre complex will be repaired and painted, Long said.

Work is expected to last about 18 months, he said. Crews will work on four buildings at a time and residents will be relocated to vacant apartments.

Rent on the $149 to $288 per month apartments is not expected to increase, Long said. The complex will be reclassified as Section 8 housing after the renovation, and tenants will pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross income for rent.

Current tenants are required to be at least 62 years old with an income of less than $10,500, Long said.